<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial infor7nation extracted from the   
 financial statements of Checkers Drive-in Restaurants, Inc., for the quarterly 
 periods ended March 23, 1998 and March 24, 1997, and is qualified in its       
 entirety by reference to such financial statements.                            
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      Dec-28-1998               Dec-29-1997    
<PERIOD-START>                         Dec-30-1997               Dec-31-1996    
<PERIOD-END>                           Mar-23-1998               Mar-24-1997    
<CASH>                                       3,867                     3,451    
<SECURITIES>                                     0                         0    
<RECEIVABLES>                                2,827<F1>                 5,640<F1>
<ALLOWANCES>                                     0                         0    
<INVENTORY>                                  2,114                     2,004    
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            14,662                    19,556    
<PP&E>                                      86,181<F2>                95,465<F2>
<DEPRECIATION>                                   0                         0    
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             113,676                   130,075    
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       25,542                    34,844    
<BONDS>                                     28,894                    32,020    
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                            0                         0    
<PREFERRED>                                      0                         0    
<COMMON>                                        73                        61    
<OTHER-SE>                                  50,756                    54,548    
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               113,676                   130,075    
<SALES>                                     35,159                    32,545    
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            37,003                    34,157    
<CGS>                                       31,860                    32,063    
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               35,379                    35,975    
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                              (139)                     (149)   
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                63                         0    
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,369                     3,512    
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                394                    (5,181)   
<INCOME-TAX>                                     0                         0    
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            394                    (5,181)   
<DISCONTINUED>                                   0                         0    
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  0                         0    
<CHANGES>                                        0                         0    
<NET-INCOME>                                   394                    (5,181)   
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.01                    (0.09)   
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.01                    (0.09)
<FN>

(1) Receivables consist of --                                                      
    Accounts Receivable - net         $       2,183            $       1,900                
    Notes Receivable                            644                      362                
    Income taxes Receivable.                      0                    3,378                
                                     ---------------------------------------               
                                     $        2,827            $       5,640                
                                     =======================================                
                                                                                      
(2) PP&E is net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $44,445 and        
    $36,067 respectively.                                                          
      


                                       
</FN>
                                                                                

</TABLE>